Subaru Outback years to avoid (and the best years)
7,656 NHTSA owner complaints and 49 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
Compared with: Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4
- 7,656complaints
- 49recalls
- 263reported crashes
- 57reported fires
- 176reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Subaru Outback years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Subaru Outback years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 2020 and 2018. The typical Subaru Outback year has 360 complaints on file.
- 2019: 1,033 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (37% of complaints) and the electrical system (35% of complaints).
- 2017: 917 complaints, 2.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (43% of complaints) and the wipers and visibility (25% of complaints).
- 2020: 896 complaints, 2.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (43% of complaints) and the electrical system (29% of complaints).
- 2018: 811 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (34% of complaints) and the electrical system (33% of complaints).
What are the best Subaru Outback years?
The Subaru Outback years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (89), 2014 (208) and 2012 (292). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 0.0× | 0 | 1 | 4 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2025 | 80 | 0.2× | 0 | 5 | 1 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2024 | 97 | 0.3× | 0 | 5 | 4 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2023 | 89 | 0.2× | 2 | 8 | 3 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2022 | 463 | 1.3× | 4 | 10 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2021 | 296 | 0.8× | 4 | 9 | 4 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2020 | 896 | 2.5× | 6 | 19 | 4 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
| 2019 | 1,033 | 2.9× | 3 | 24 | 18 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
| 2018 | 811 | 2.3× | 3 | 27 | 19 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
| 2017 | 917 | 2.5× | 4 | 32 | 25 | Approach with caution | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 642 | 1.8× | 4 | 22 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 509 | 1.4× | 5 | 19 | 16 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2014 | 208 | 0.6× | 10 | 14 | 21 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2013 | 296 | 0.8× | 12 | 18 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2012 | 292 | 0.8× | 16 | 15 | 11 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2011 | 651 | 1.8× | 16 | 23 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2010 | 360 | 1.0× | 18 | 12 | 8 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 2,968 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Structure & body1,066 (36%)
- Electrical & infotainment693 (23%)
- Engine & powertrain615 (21%)
- Brakes189 (6%)
- Airbags & seat belts166 (6%)
Recalls (49)
Airbags · 24V227000 · Mar 2024 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Transmission · 23V755000 · Nov 2023 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 23V647000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2023
Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 22V712000 · Sep 2022 · model year 2022
An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Transmission · 22V485000 · Jul 2022 · model years 2020, 2021
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 22V473000 · Jul 2022 · model year 2022
A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 21V955000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2020
An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V587000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 21V024000 · Jan 2021 · model year 2021
A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Safety · 20V766000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2020
The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
Fuel system · 20V218000 · Apr 2020 · model year 2019
If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 20V001000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 20V003000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 20V002000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 19V910000 · Dec 2019 · model years 2016, 2017
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Brakes · 19V664000 · Sep 2019 · model year 2020
A missing or loose bolt may cause the brake pedal mounting area to deform over time, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Structure · 19V493000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 19V297000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 19V007000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 19V009000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 19V008000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Body & glass · 18V935000 · Dec 2018 · model year 2018
Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
Electrical system · 18V773000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2018
The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V626000 · Sep 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V013000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V012000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V014000 · Jan 2017 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 16V716000 · Oct 2016 · model year 2017
If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 16V694000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Suspension · 16V576000 · Aug 2016 · model year 2017
If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V358000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Steering · 16V292000 · May 2016 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V251000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2015
Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 15V794000 · Nov 2015 · model year 2016
If the drive shaft detaches from the rear differential, it may strike the fuel tank and result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 15V502000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2015, 2016
If the transmission oil leaks onto the exhaust pipe, there is a possible risk of fire.
Safety · 15V366000 · Jun 2015 · model year 2015
If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 14V577000 · Sep 2014 · model year 2015
The mounting nut(s) may not provide sufficient force to remain attached to the studs or the studs themselves might break. If this were to happen while a trailer is being towed, the driver might not be able to operate the vehicle as desired or the trailer may detach from the vehicle. Either situation could increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 13V336000 · Aug 2013 · model year 2014
As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 13V194000 · May 2013 · model year 2013
If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 13V078000 · Mar 2013 · model year 2012
If the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover may melt and potentially catch fire.
Body & glass · 13V077000 · Mar 2013 · model year 2012
The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 13V061000 · Feb 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Exterior lighting · 12V602000 · Dec 2012 · model years 2010, 2011
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Airbags · 12V047000 · Feb 2012 · model year 2012
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Brakes · 11V562000 · Nov 2011 · model year 2012
THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Body & glass · 11V467000 · Sep 2011 · model year 2011
THE MOONROOF GLASS CAN LOOSEN AND DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Transmission · 10V326000 · Jul 2010 · model years 2010, 2011
IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Steering · 10V283000 · Jun 2010 · model year 2010
POSSIBLE CIRCUITS AFFECTED ARE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG, PADDLE SHIFTER FUNCTION, CRUISE CONTROL, HORN CONTROL AND RADIO FUNCTIONS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Engine · 10V196000 · May 2010 · model year 2010
IF THE FLUID IS COMPLETELY LEAKED DURING DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL COME TO A STOP, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.